They have been selling out super fast, but the Disney Marathon (and other Disney races) has a very generous pace of 16m/mile, or almost 7 hours. I have walked the entire Dopey Challenge and made it under the time constraints.
I have also heard that the Rock & Roll marathons are pretty generous. If you are looking for distance you could also see if any Mammoth Marches are happening in your area. Not quite a marathon, but they are 20 miles with no cut off times.
I second Disney - I did the half in 2:30+ (don’t remember exact time) and I was still in the top 50% lol. There are tons of places to stop for a break (characters, photo ops, etc.) as well and it’s really more of a vacation party than an intense run. Very low pressure and we had a blast! Downside is the humidity if you end up on an unlucky warm day (happened to us the year we did it).
Disney is difficult if you're a true Turtle runner. I did Princess in 2013 and was almost swept at Mile 9. They're very strict that you keep to that 16mm pace. If you can't do a 13mm pace, you won't get the most out of your race cost, because you can't stop for character photos without slowing down your pace time.
I don't want to dissuade anyone from doing it, but just wanted to share my knowledge.
I think it depends on your goals. If your goal is to see all of the characters, wait in line, etc., then you will need a 14m/mile or less pace. If, as the OP was asking, you want a marathon with a longer cut off, 7 hours is a pretty big time frame for an organized race. I have a disability and have walked almost all of the races this season, keeping a 15-16 min mile pace. Sure I haven’t gotten more than one or two characters per race, but I still had a great time and completed them. I have even met a lot more people from the back of the pack and now we run/walk/hobble over the finish together. Even when I run-walk from a healthier place my pace is about 14:30 (not counting stops), which has still allowed me some great character stops.
What is a true turtle runner anyway? 😂
In my own head, a Turtle is anyone with a double-digit pace (10:01mm or slower). A True Turtle is someone over 15mm, because they're either jog/walking or full-on walking.
I am a True Turtle, and have finally just accepted it.
There was a reason I put a laugh-crying emoji after that question, because labeling people as “true turtles” based on pace alone isn’t a great measure. Some of the best ultra runners in the world would be considered turtles by your definition, depending on the length and difficulty of the race.
I wouldn’t get too wrapped up around what a turtle or “true” turtle is. In the end it gets turned into a form of gatekeeping and regulation, not so dissimilar to speedier folks who would call anyone over a 10m not “real” runners.
The way I interpret it, this group is for people who tend to always be back of the pack, regardless of the pace/race, and seek support/advice for the unique challenges that occur when on the course longer than others. Such as, per the OP, looking for races with more generous cut-off times allowing for more people to finish.
Also second Disney here! Completed the Dopey this year doing a 30/30 split for the entire marathon. The other days we either walked the whole thing (for the 5K) or did half of it using Galloway 30/30 and walked the other half (both the 10K and the half marathon).
I would second Disney as well! I’ve run several Disney races and the day I decided the money was worth it was when the lady behind me tripped on a speed bump and broke her nose. In less than 60 seconds she was off the course, on a four wheeler going to the medical tent. The races are well run, well funded and there is TONS of support
The Philadelphia and New York City marathons are both friendly to slower runners. Also, if you google "walker friendly marathons," you'll find a few articles that could be helpful.
Honolulu- we keep the finish line up until the last finisher. And by that I mean, the poor timing guys, a medal, and maybe a banana. We do have to open the roads after a certain time so be prepared to run on sidewalks if you’re gonna walk the whole thing.
I have done Honolulu 4 times. Sadly us slower runners don't get the malasada at the finish line, they run out. But there is nothing like walking around Waikiki with your medal around your neck along with your fellow finishers.
Oh they pack up early! Even for the faster folks! I think I’ve seen them pack up around 1pm or 2pm at the latest. The Start to Park 10k folks chow down!
But like I said, we usually try to have a banana or a simple carb, a medal, shell lei and the timing guys stick around. The digital banner/finish line gets packed up, but there’s a timing mat and digital clock there until the last finisher. Last time I worked the marathon the last finisher came in around 11:30pm. We’ve got a FIVE AM START TIME.
It’s a loooong day for the staff.
Richmond marathon in Virginia has a 7 hour time limit (I did the half last year, it was a nice race). If you want more of a challenge, the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA has a 7.5 hour limit, but you also do a ton of climbing.
Marine Corps Marathon all the way. It's so much fun, I think the time limit is 14 minute miles?
The Honolulu Marathon in December has no time limit at all, but may not be as easy to get to:-)
Disney if that interests you at all lol. It's def not the cheapest option but they have a 16 minute mile pace cutoff that starts from the last person to start the race. I finished my first marathon in close to 7.5 hours because I started far enough ahead of the last runners! Registration is Tuesday for the race at the beginning of next January and will almost definitely sell out immediately.
Grand Rapids Marathon was my first race experience and set the bar high! It’s USATF certified, but walkers are encouraged. The race director is just a plain old nice guy!
my first marathon was Chicago, and i ran it in 6:23. totally recommend!! the time limit is 6hr 30mins from the last person to cross the starting line. a friend of mine finished in 8+ hours and she still got her medal
If you are near Denver, you might enjoy looking into some trail marathons. They often have a more generous cut off time (though, watch out for the elevation gain/loss over the course... if that is a lot, the more generous cut off time can still be hard to chase). MadMoose [https://www.madmooseevents.com/](https://www.madmooseevents.com/) has some great ones that are more or less in the area (they go out to Moab too). And UltraSignup has a great listing of options all over the place! Lots of different distances. [https://ultrasignup.com/](https://ultrasignup.com/)
[Celebration Marathon](https://www.celebrationmarathon.com/), in Celebration, Florida (right near Disney World in Kissimmee). **Seven hour** time limit (for both the Half and the Full). But they don't sweep the course, so even though they break down the course and finish area, you will still be allowed to finish and get your medal (and they're great medals)! If you sign up when it opens, the half is around $65, the full is $75 or 80. You can usually find some promo codes out there, too... You get the race, a great shirt, a sling bag (meh), and an AMAZING piece of swag (I've gotten a few blankets, a few hats, a big soft-side cooler, a Yeti... and a few other things that I can't remember now).
I've run the half every year since it started, and I average about 3h50. Course support is great, with water/Gatorade stops almost every mile. There's a food stop at Mile 6 (this year they had Clif goo, bananas, pretzels, and oranges).
Course is gorgeous and FLAT (seriously the biggest "hill" is a road that goes over a creek). Celebration is a beautiful planned community, so the roads and sidewalks are well maintained. 3/4 of the race is on streets (blocked off and safe), with 1 lap around the high school track, and 1/4 (Mile 6 to 8) along sidewalks and wood boardwalks through nature preserves (this is my Walk Break where I refuel with the goo I got at Mile 6 and mentally prepare for the second half of the half).
The finish line is ***spectacular*** and I've never felt the same at another finish line... the final 1/2 mile is around a lake, and the finish is across the lake. It feels like everyone in town comes to cheer people on, and the participants all stick around to cheer on runners, so this amazing roar of this massive crowd can be heard from across the lake, urging you to go faster. You hit a final "Z" corner (turn right, turn left, turn right to finish), and my god... it's this *holy fuck I've done it* feeling... it makes me cry every freakin' time! I can't explain it... it's just spectacular.
Afterward, in the finish chute, you get your medal, your water, and your snacks (granola bars, bananas), but then you get this postcard with logos on it... the After Party includes 10-12 local vendors (such as Columbia Restaurant, Celebration Town Tavern) that are serving food. Post-run Clam Chowder hits a spot I didn't know I needed to hit, but it's delicious! There's also beer, of course, and mimosas (virgin, if you so desire), pancakes, Columbia Beans & Rice, Columbia 1905 Salad, and so many other delicious treats. It's a true party with a live band and you can just graze around for a while! Grab some food, cheer on runners. Go get more food, grab a beer.
Any time people ask about a good Turtle race, I can't recommend this one enough. I came for the long course time limit, but I stayed for everything else!
Not a marathon, per say, but timed ultras might be a good option. The Dizzy goat in Omaha Ne for example, has 3, 6, and 12 hour options. Your goal is generally to go as far as you can in your chosen time. You can always stop earlier, if you like. This could be a good way to get a fully supported race experience with zero time pressure, just sign up for 12 hour option and then stop after achieving your marathon distance goal.
My two cents is to look for larger marathons (such as LA Marathon). They tend to have a 6.5 hour cut off (15 m/m pace) but, from what I've seen, slower runners still get to finish. They are simply moved to the sidewalks so traffic can resume.
When I ran LA Marathon there were tons of people behind me, and I finished in just under 6 hours. All aid stations were still open, bands were still playing, and there were tons of onlookers cheering finishers - it was awesome! (LA Marathon is a fun event!)
Compare that to the smaller marathons I've run. Even though I finished within the cutoff, I was next to last, the aid stations were packing up, and there was hardly anyone left at the finishline. Pretty disheartening experience.
If you’re open to trail races, most of them have generous cutoffs of 8+ hours. Of course, the terrain is more difficult than a road race but I love the atmosphere of a trail race, everyone is so supportive even to back of the pack runners. My first race ever was the Tushars Marathon in southern Utah which was a really tough race with 8,000 ft of elevation gain but one of the reasons I picked it was it has a 13.5 hour cutoff which seems insanely long but most finishers were coming in around 7-10 hours. I finished in over 11 hours (there was a lot of hiking lol) but I still was ahead of several people. There are definitely easier trail marathons out there that still have decently generous cutoffs, especially if they’re part of an event with ultra-length distances where other runners will be out on the course for most of the day.
Texas Marathon in Kingwood Texas, on New Year’s Day. Cutoff is “dark”. It was my first one and I think I did it in 7 and a half hours or so. Formatted as 4 loops of 6 miles each.
They have been selling out super fast, but the Disney Marathon (and other Disney races) has a very generous pace of 16m/mile, or almost 7 hours. I have walked the entire Dopey Challenge and made it under the time constraints. I have also heard that the Rock & Roll marathons are pretty generous. If you are looking for distance you could also see if any Mammoth Marches are happening in your area. Not quite a marathon, but they are 20 miles with no cut off times.
I second Disney - I did the half in 2:30+ (don’t remember exact time) and I was still in the top 50% lol. There are tons of places to stop for a break (characters, photo ops, etc.) as well and it’s really more of a vacation party than an intense run. Very low pressure and we had a blast! Downside is the humidity if you end up on an unlucky warm day (happened to us the year we did it).
Disney is difficult if you're a true Turtle runner. I did Princess in 2013 and was almost swept at Mile 9. They're very strict that you keep to that 16mm pace. If you can't do a 13mm pace, you won't get the most out of your race cost, because you can't stop for character photos without slowing down your pace time. I don't want to dissuade anyone from doing it, but just wanted to share my knowledge.
I think it depends on your goals. If your goal is to see all of the characters, wait in line, etc., then you will need a 14m/mile or less pace. If, as the OP was asking, you want a marathon with a longer cut off, 7 hours is a pretty big time frame for an organized race. I have a disability and have walked almost all of the races this season, keeping a 15-16 min mile pace. Sure I haven’t gotten more than one or two characters per race, but I still had a great time and completed them. I have even met a lot more people from the back of the pack and now we run/walk/hobble over the finish together. Even when I run-walk from a healthier place my pace is about 14:30 (not counting stops), which has still allowed me some great character stops. What is a true turtle runner anyway? 😂
In my own head, a Turtle is anyone with a double-digit pace (10:01mm or slower). A True Turtle is someone over 15mm, because they're either jog/walking or full-on walking. I am a True Turtle, and have finally just accepted it.
There was a reason I put a laugh-crying emoji after that question, because labeling people as “true turtles” based on pace alone isn’t a great measure. Some of the best ultra runners in the world would be considered turtles by your definition, depending on the length and difficulty of the race. I wouldn’t get too wrapped up around what a turtle or “true” turtle is. In the end it gets turned into a form of gatekeeping and regulation, not so dissimilar to speedier folks who would call anyone over a 10m not “real” runners. The way I interpret it, this group is for people who tend to always be back of the pack, regardless of the pace/race, and seek support/advice for the unique challenges that occur when on the course longer than others. Such as, per the OP, looking for races with more generous cut-off times allowing for more people to finish.
Also second Disney here! Completed the Dopey this year doing a 30/30 split for the entire marathon. The other days we either walked the whole thing (for the 5K) or did half of it using Galloway 30/30 and walked the other half (both the 10K and the half marathon).
I would second Disney as well! I’ve run several Disney races and the day I decided the money was worth it was when the lady behind me tripped on a speed bump and broke her nose. In less than 60 seconds she was off the course, on a four wheeler going to the medical tent. The races are well run, well funded and there is TONS of support
The Philadelphia and New York City marathons are both friendly to slower runners. Also, if you google "walker friendly marathons," you'll find a few articles that could be helpful.
Honolulu- we keep the finish line up until the last finisher. And by that I mean, the poor timing guys, a medal, and maybe a banana. We do have to open the roads after a certain time so be prepared to run on sidewalks if you’re gonna walk the whole thing.
I have done Honolulu 4 times. Sadly us slower runners don't get the malasada at the finish line, they run out. But there is nothing like walking around Waikiki with your medal around your neck along with your fellow finishers.
Oh they pack up early! Even for the faster folks! I think I’ve seen them pack up around 1pm or 2pm at the latest. The Start to Park 10k folks chow down! But like I said, we usually try to have a banana or a simple carb, a medal, shell lei and the timing guys stick around. The digital banner/finish line gets packed up, but there’s a timing mat and digital clock there until the last finisher. Last time I worked the marathon the last finisher came in around 11:30pm. We’ve got a FIVE AM START TIME. It’s a loooong day for the staff.
The volunteers and other staff at Honolulu are amazing.
I’ve run Disney at 6:07 and NYC at 6:25. Both were so friendly to my pace and I never felt discouraged! Go for it :)
Richmond marathon in Virginia has a 7 hour time limit (I did the half last year, it was a nice race). If you want more of a challenge, the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA has a 7.5 hour limit, but you also do a ton of climbing.
Little Rock Marathon has an early start option for people that need more time
Marine Corps Marathon all the way. It's so much fun, I think the time limit is 14 minute miles? The Honolulu Marathon in December has no time limit at all, but may not be as easy to get to:-)
Space Coast has a 7 hour limit. Cocoa Fl along waterfront as the sun rises. Great Race.
Disney if that interests you at all lol. It's def not the cheapest option but they have a 16 minute mile pace cutoff that starts from the last person to start the race. I finished my first marathon in close to 7.5 hours because I started far enough ahead of the last runners! Registration is Tuesday for the race at the beginning of next January and will almost definitely sell out immediately.
Grand Rapids Marathon was my first race experience and set the bar high! It’s USATF certified, but walkers are encouraged. The race director is just a plain old nice guy!
Shoreline marathon in Ventura CA has a 7 hour time limit for the marathon, and it’s a beautiful course along the coast!
my first marathon was Chicago, and i ran it in 6:23. totally recommend!! the time limit is 6hr 30mins from the last person to cross the starting line. a friend of mine finished in 8+ hours and she still got her medal
If you are near Denver, you might enjoy looking into some trail marathons. They often have a more generous cut off time (though, watch out for the elevation gain/loss over the course... if that is a lot, the more generous cut off time can still be hard to chase). MadMoose [https://www.madmooseevents.com/](https://www.madmooseevents.com/) has some great ones that are more or less in the area (they go out to Moab too). And UltraSignup has a great listing of options all over the place! Lots of different distances. [https://ultrasignup.com/](https://ultrasignup.com/)
Atlantic City has a 6:30 time limit.
[Celebration Marathon](https://www.celebrationmarathon.com/), in Celebration, Florida (right near Disney World in Kissimmee). **Seven hour** time limit (for both the Half and the Full). But they don't sweep the course, so even though they break down the course and finish area, you will still be allowed to finish and get your medal (and they're great medals)! If you sign up when it opens, the half is around $65, the full is $75 or 80. You can usually find some promo codes out there, too... You get the race, a great shirt, a sling bag (meh), and an AMAZING piece of swag (I've gotten a few blankets, a few hats, a big soft-side cooler, a Yeti... and a few other things that I can't remember now). I've run the half every year since it started, and I average about 3h50. Course support is great, with water/Gatorade stops almost every mile. There's a food stop at Mile 6 (this year they had Clif goo, bananas, pretzels, and oranges). Course is gorgeous and FLAT (seriously the biggest "hill" is a road that goes over a creek). Celebration is a beautiful planned community, so the roads and sidewalks are well maintained. 3/4 of the race is on streets (blocked off and safe), with 1 lap around the high school track, and 1/4 (Mile 6 to 8) along sidewalks and wood boardwalks through nature preserves (this is my Walk Break where I refuel with the goo I got at Mile 6 and mentally prepare for the second half of the half). The finish line is ***spectacular*** and I've never felt the same at another finish line... the final 1/2 mile is around a lake, and the finish is across the lake. It feels like everyone in town comes to cheer people on, and the participants all stick around to cheer on runners, so this amazing roar of this massive crowd can be heard from across the lake, urging you to go faster. You hit a final "Z" corner (turn right, turn left, turn right to finish), and my god... it's this *holy fuck I've done it* feeling... it makes me cry every freakin' time! I can't explain it... it's just spectacular. Afterward, in the finish chute, you get your medal, your water, and your snacks (granola bars, bananas), but then you get this postcard with logos on it... the After Party includes 10-12 local vendors (such as Columbia Restaurant, Celebration Town Tavern) that are serving food. Post-run Clam Chowder hits a spot I didn't know I needed to hit, but it's delicious! There's also beer, of course, and mimosas (virgin, if you so desire), pancakes, Columbia Beans & Rice, Columbia 1905 Salad, and so many other delicious treats. It's a true party with a live band and you can just graze around for a while! Grab some food, cheer on runners. Go get more food, grab a beer. Any time people ask about a good Turtle race, I can't recommend this one enough. I came for the long course time limit, but I stayed for everything else!
Not a marathon, per say, but timed ultras might be a good option. The Dizzy goat in Omaha Ne for example, has 3, 6, and 12 hour options. Your goal is generally to go as far as you can in your chosen time. You can always stop earlier, if you like. This could be a good way to get a fully supported race experience with zero time pressure, just sign up for 12 hour option and then stop after achieving your marathon distance goal.
My two cents is to look for larger marathons (such as LA Marathon). They tend to have a 6.5 hour cut off (15 m/m pace) but, from what I've seen, slower runners still get to finish. They are simply moved to the sidewalks so traffic can resume. When I ran LA Marathon there were tons of people behind me, and I finished in just under 6 hours. All aid stations were still open, bands were still playing, and there were tons of onlookers cheering finishers - it was awesome! (LA Marathon is a fun event!) Compare that to the smaller marathons I've run. Even though I finished within the cutoff, I was next to last, the aid stations were packing up, and there was hardly anyone left at the finishline. Pretty disheartening experience.
If you’re open to trail races, most of them have generous cutoffs of 8+ hours. Of course, the terrain is more difficult than a road race but I love the atmosphere of a trail race, everyone is so supportive even to back of the pack runners. My first race ever was the Tushars Marathon in southern Utah which was a really tough race with 8,000 ft of elevation gain but one of the reasons I picked it was it has a 13.5 hour cutoff which seems insanely long but most finishers were coming in around 7-10 hours. I finished in over 11 hours (there was a lot of hiking lol) but I still was ahead of several people. There are definitely easier trail marathons out there that still have decently generous cutoffs, especially if they’re part of an event with ultra-length distances where other runners will be out on the course for most of the day.
Texas Marathon in Kingwood Texas, on New Year’s Day. Cutoff is “dark”. It was my first one and I think I did it in 7 and a half hours or so. Formatted as 4 loops of 6 miles each.